Buru Buru! Buru Buru!
Late at night, the ringing of a Den Den Mushi echoed inside the communications room of the Alabasta Forward Naval Base, affiliated with G-2 Marine Headquarters.
"Hello? This is… yawn… the Alabasta Forward Base under Marine G-2."
The Den Den Mushi's face twisted into one of urgency.
"Hello! This is the garrison of Rapeseed Port in the Alabasta Kingdom! The port prison has just been attacked by evil pirates! They carried out an armed jailbreak—guards are injured and prisoners have been taken! They're heading toward the docks right now! Request immediate Marine support!"
The operator's sleepiness vanished instantly.
"Understood… situation recorded. Please keep the line open. Reinforcements will depart shortly."
The Marine on duty quickly wrote down the key information and grabbed the logbook, rushing to knock on the base commander's door.
"Report! Colonel Brugras! Emergency!"
From inside came a slightly lazy female voice.
"What is it?"
"Colonel Brugras! We've just received an urgent request from Rapeseed Port in Alabasta! A vicious group of pirates has attacked the port prison and carried out an armed jailbreak!"
The door opened.
A tall female Marine officer stepped out, wearing a yellow dress uniform and adjusting a dark blue tie.
"What exactly happened?"
The blonde officer—Colonel Brugras—raised an eyebrow, pushing her sunglasses up onto her forehead as she took the report and several attached bounty posters.
"Quite a big incident… Have they identified the pirates responsible? Who's leading them?"
The Marine pointed at the wanted posters.
"Based on witness accounts and cross-checked intelligence, at least the following high-bounty criminals are involved."
Predator Riberra Sammy — 99,000,000 BerriesIron Rudder Isaac — 24,000,000 BerriesBonecrusher Kate Aldo — 40,000,000 Berries
"In addition, intelligence suggests that the captains of the Twilight Pirates and the Cormorant Pirates were also present."
"So many?"
Colonel Brugras scanned the posters quickly.
Her gaze paused briefly on Sammy's poster—the one showing his bloodthirsty grin.
"These people… I remember some of them had their bounties raised recently after the Drum Kingdom incident. Looks like a group of troublesome troublemakers."
"Yes, Colonel. What's more concerning is that intelligence suggests the Jellyfish Pirates, Twilight Pirates, and Cormorant Pirates may have temporarily merged forces—or formed some sort of pirate alliance. The enemy might be formidable both in numbers and strength."
Brugras lowered her sunglasses back over her eyes and stepped into the room, pulling the Marine justice coat from the chair and draping it over her shoulders.
"An alliance?"
"Hmph. A mob is still a mob, even when gathered together."
"But we shouldn't underestimate them."
She stepped outside.
"Send the order. The forward base enters Level-2 combat readiness."
"Mobilize every available warship in the base with maximum firepower. I want them ready at the harbor within thirty minutes."
"Also contact G-2 Headquarters and inform them we're already taking action. Request remote support if necessary."
She walked down the corridor with steady steps.
"Our destination—Rapeseed Port, Alabasta."
"Let's go welcome these guests who clearly don't know the rules."
"Yes, Colonel Brugras!"
The Marine saluted sharply and ran off to relay the orders.
When he disappeared down the corridor, Brugras exhaled slowly.
She walked to the window and looked down at the harbor as it began to stir with activity.
Removing her sunglasses, she rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"Ninety-nine million…"
She smirked faintly at her blurred reflection in the glass.
"Let's hope they're not just another bunch of useless rabble."
"Otherwise… this will be terribly boring."
Alabasta Kingdom — Rapeseed Port
Sammy and his group burst out of the dark alleyways and sprinted toward the Swordfish, moored at its berth.
Behind them, the sound of marching boots and clattering armor grew louder.
The port's standing garrison forces were rushing toward them after receiving the prison alarm.
"Move! On board!"
Sammy led the charge, sprinting up the gangplank onto the deck.
The others followed immediately.
"Everyone aboard? Feiqi!"
"Boss, I'm here!"
"Men! Cut the lines! Raise the sails!"
The crew waiting on the Swordfish sprang into action.
The mooring ropes were cut with blades.
The sails climbed rapidly as pulleys squealed against the rigging.
"Don't let them escape!"
"Block the berth!"
"Stop that ship!"
"Fire! Aim for their sails and rudder!"
Soldiers formed firing lines along the dock.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Gunfire erupted.
Lead bullets slammed into the Swordfish's hull and masts with dull thuds.
BOOM—
A deep roar came from the stern cannon.
The cannonball blasted out and smashed into the dock near the soldiers' formation.
The explosion shattered stacked barrels and cargo crates.
Several soldiers were thrown off their feet by the shockwave, screaming.
"AH—!"
"Haha! Nice shot!"
"Good one, Feiqi!"
"What are you waiting for? Fire back! Let them have it!"
At Marcus's command, the crew grabbed their various firearms—many of them "borrowed" from other pirate crews during their time on Little Garden.
Soon the Swordfish unleashed a barrage almost as fierce as the garrison's.
Most of the pirates' aim was terrible.
But the sheer volume of fire shattered stone along the dock and forced soldiers to dive for cover.
The pursuit slowed.
"Hey, move aside! Let me try the treasure I found last time!"
One pirate shouted excitedly.
He dragged out a crude-looking rocket launcher from the ship's hold.
Quickly loading it, he hoisted it onto his shoulder and aimed roughly at the dock illuminated by gunfire.
"People of Alabasta—"
"Try this!"
"Here comes the BIG ROCKET!"
WHOOSH—BOOM!!!
A blazing rocket streaked through the air trailing smoke.
It slammed into the cargo storage area near the pier.
The explosion was even more violent than the stern cannon.
Flames shot into the sky.
Though it didn't land directly in the center of the soldiers, the blast wave knocked down more than a dozen men.
Worse—
Burning debris ignited the surrounding crates and canvas tarps.
Flames spread instantly.
Within seconds the entire area turned into a roaring sea of fire, completely blocking the soldiers' pursuit route.
"Hahaha! Beautiful!"
Aldo stood on deck with his spiked club on his shoulder and shouted toward the chaotic, burning dock.
"Bye-bye, Alabasta!"
"No need to see us off—!!!"
The pirates' arrogant laughter echoed across the water.
From the dock, furious shouts answered back.
"Damn you pirates!!!"
"Just wait!"
"If you ever fall into my hands—!!!"
---------------------------------◇ Bonus Chapter Rewards ◇------------------------------------
◇ Every 10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter
◇ You can read 60 chapters ahead on Patreon if you're interested:
patreon.com/Luna023
Your support helps the story grow and motivates faster updates.